I’ve been a big fan of Seesmic Desktop for quite some time now and have been wondering when and if they planned on releasing a Seesmic application for BlackBerry smartphones. @BRSDiddy just brought it to my attention that they have just released one!

Features:

• All your timelines
  Seesmic for BlackBerry groups all your Twitter timelines into one simple application. Whether you want to scroll through your friends timeline, check on a saved search, view a list or want to find a private conversation with a friend, everything is one click away from the main menu.
• Saved search and list support
  Searches and lists saved on your Twitter account are automatically imported and made available inside the BlackBerry application – a first for a Twitter application the BlackBerry.
• URL Shortening
  We integrated the same URL shortening capability than in our popular Desktop client. Just type a URL, press the shortening button and we’ll transform your long URL into a really small one so you have more space for your tweets.
• Background Notifications
  While it is running in the background, Seesmic for BlackBerry will alert you to received Direct Messages and @Replies that require your attention. This is done using the familiar system-wide icon notification bar that alerts you to new mail, sms messages and voicemails.

According to the Seesmic download page there are two versions available. A beta v1.0 for BlackBerry devices running OS 4.6 and higher, and an alpha v1.0b for the Tour 9630 and Storm 9500/9530/9520/9550. Right now there is no support for devices running OS 4.5 and lower.

To download Seesmic head to seesmic.com from your BlackBerry Browser or check out the product page here for more info. Since these applications are beta and alpha I would recommend first making a backup before installing them.  Also keep in mind that since these are beta and alpha versions they might not be perfect just yet so if you have feedback or need help email Seesmic at support@seesmic.com.

I’ve included some of the demonstration videos after the jump. Let me know how you like the Seesmic Twitter app in the comments!

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This is the first official OS for the BlackBerry Storm2 9520!

• Download: OS 5.0.0.306 for the Storm2 9520 from Vodafone D2 (Translated)
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

Please report any feedback/findings in the comments.

REMEMBER: It is recommended that you make a backup before attempting to upgrade your BlackBerry just in case something goes wrong during the upgrade process. *

Yesterday I mentioned that the Verizon BlackBerry Storm 9530 might be getting OS 5.0.0.328 tomorrow. Since that post I’ve received a bunch of emails asking whether a certain BlackBerry model will get OS 5.0.

Up till now I could only base my answers on leaked information, but  thanks to a new knowledge base article posted by RIM we now know exactly which BlackBerry devices will get it!

List of the supported devices:

• BlackBerry® Pearl™ Flip 8200 series smartphones
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphones
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8350i smartphones
• BlackBerry® Curve™ 8900 smartphones
• BlackBerry® Bold™ 9000 smartphones
• BlackBerry® Storm™ 9500 series smartphones
• BlackBerry® Tour™ 9630 smartphones

Your BlackBerry must have at least 64MB of available memory in order to upgrade to OS 5.0 once it’s available.

According to the knowledge base article not all wireless service providers will support BlackBerry OS 5.0 for the devices listed above, meaning you might have to get it from another service provider. This isn’t a problem for those that don’t mind using an OS not issued by their carrier.

Here’s to hoping an OS 5.0 launch for all devices is just around the corner!

via KB17984

Vodafone and RIM have made the BlackBerry Storm2 official!

The second generation of RIM’s innovative and award-winning touch-screen smartphone, the BlackBerry Storm2 significantly improves the BlackBerry® touch-screen platform with new technology and new features to let customers stay easily connected to the people, places and things that matter most.

In the busy holiday gift buying period, customers in the UK and Ireland will be able to get the new smartphone first through Vodafone, and it will be offered exclusively by Vodafone in Germany, Netherlands and Spain. It will also be made available in France, Italy and South Africa in time for Christmas.

The BlackBerry Storm2 with BlackBerry OS 5 evolves the BlackBerry touch-screen platform with hundreds of hardware and software enhancements.

Pricing will be announced by the individual in-country operating companies and so far Vodafone UK will be offering the Storm2 free from £35 per month on a 24-month contract. Since Vodafone has officially announced the Storm2, according to earlier rumors, Verizon should be announcing it within the next week or so.

For more info (including hardware and software features) check out the press release after the jump or head to blackberry.com/storm!

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No, you did not read the title incorrectly. Operating Systems for unreleased BlackBerry devices have been leaked!

• Download via MegaUpload:
  • OS 5.0.0.287 for the Storm 9520
  • OS 5.0.0.296 for the Bold 9700
• How To:
  • Backup And Restore Your BlackBerry
  • Upgrade your BlackBerry Operating System (OS)

If you have one of these devices please don’t be shy and let me know how these leaked Operating Systems work for you in the comments . If you don’t have these devices you can still download them for when they are officially launched.

You never know…maybe these will be newer than the versions they ship out with.

DISCLAIMER: Install at your own risk. This is Leaked/Beta software that is not guaranteed to be stable, and therefore will not be supported by RIM or your wireless carrier should you run into some problems. As a precaution, if you decide to upgrade, it is highly recommended that you make a backup before using this software. If you are not comfortable using Leaked/Beta software you should probably wait for the next official release. *

Just got some fresh photos of a Verizon BlackBerry Storm2 dummy unit thanks to @Ackee_!

A few days ago I posted some promo flyers showing the Storm2 as being part of a buy-one-get-one free deal. At that time I said “I wouldn’t be surprised if it launched within a few days,” and it looks like I may have been onto something because, according to an article by the New York Times, Verizon and RIM might be launching the Storm2 this week!

This week, Verizon and R.I.M. are trying again with a Storm do-over, the Storm 2. Among its many improvements, the new phone gives the user the sensation of pushing a physical button when pressing a number on the glass touch screen.

Lowell C. McAdam, the chief executive of Verizon Wireless, has been carrying the revamped device for a few weeks, looking for any evidence that this time it will catch on. Mr. McAdam said that while he was recently visiting the Verizon store in New York’s SoHo district, he started talking to a couple of students from New York University who were shopping for cellphones.

“I let them play with the second-generation Storm device,” he said. “They came back and said ‘Oh, my gosh.’ They were very excited. This is what they hoped the original Storm should be.”

Vodafone Germany has the Storm 9520 listed as coming soon and Vodafone UK might also be launching the Storm2 this week, and since  Best Buy is already getting accessories for it, a launch some time this week is definitely a possibility! Let’s not hold our breath though…

I’ve included a shot of the Storm2 dummy unit from behind after the jump. Let me know what you think in the comments!

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@acnst pointed out that the Vodafone Germany OnlineShop has the BlackBerry Storm 9520 listed as coming soon!

Here is a rough translation (courtesy of Google) of the text next to the Storm 9520:

The BlackBerry Storm 9520 is a phone as you want it to. The smartphone is equipped with the latest generation of a new type of touch screen (about 8 cm diagonal) to make easy text entry. For entertainment on the go is also provided. Photos come out with the 3.2 MP camera, you can surf the Internet via WiFi and you can navigate with the A-GPS receiver.

Earlier today I mentioned that Vodafone UK might be launching the Storm 2 this week. The Storm 9520 being listed as coming soon on the Vodafone Germany site could mean a network-wide launch.

If you find the Storm 2 listed on any other carrier sites let me know in the comments!

Another of Salomondrin’s videos was uploaded to YouTube. In this video, Sal goes over how RIM is improving the BlackBerry Storm 2 (9520). He goes over two hardware improvements:

• The older Storm 2 had light leaking out under the screen, the newer Storm 2 doesn’t
• The screen’s “click” is improved (yes there is a big difference)

I”m sure many of you will be expecting the Storm 2 to be awesome compared to how the Storm 1 was when it launched. What do you think of these hardware improvements? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, especially if you’re a current Storm 1 owner.

@salomondrin put together the video above of himself typing on the upcoming BlackBerry Storm 2 (Odin). It’s only a 36 second video but be prepared to be amazed at his speed and the Storm 2’s accuracy/lack of error!

In this second video @wongalex compares the BlackBerry Bold 9700 (Onyx) Trackpad, sound/speaker, size and typing with that of the Bold 9000 and Curve 8900.

Great way to end the weekend! I personally can’t wait for the Onyx to at least get an official acknowledgment from RIM regarding its release. An actual release would be even better .

via CrackBerry

@salomondrin has put together yet another video of the BlackBerry Storm 2 (9520), this time showing us that he can supposedly shut off the clicking noise to “make it look like an iPhone”.

The last video @salomondrin made (which has now been removed) showed the Storm 2 with the clicking enabled, and at the time it was very distinct.

So the question is…feature or bug? If it happens to be a bug, would you like the option to turn off the clicking sound as a feature? Let me know in the comments!